• A proper VISA to enter and stay in India & Nepal is a must. There are reported cases when travellers are advised non-requirement of Indian/Nepal VISA by their travel agents. Practically every foreign national requires VISA to enter these countries.

• Do not encourage beggars.

• Don't trust strangers with money. Trust your hotel, but not people you may bump into on the streets.

• Don't offer bribes to get any job done. Bribe-taking and bribe-giving are a common practice in India but they are intended to speed up things or win a favour that you are not entitled to. Plan well in advance. Use consultants or trade and industry associations. If you expect favours, let them come free or not at all. Warn anyone (even in government) who asks you for a bribe that you would report him to the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the nearest police-station. If he persists, do it discreetly so that he can be caught red-handed.

• Indian English has its own delights especially to foreigners of English nativity. Don't show amusement at the different Indian accents and choice of words. This does not take away from the fact that many Indians speak and write better English than many native English speakers.

• It is advisable to cover yourself with travel insurance for thefts, loss and medi-claim.

• Carry proper maps of the places proposed to visit in India/Nepal, as signboards are often absent. Try to reach a station during daytime if travelling on your own. In any case avoid persistent touts and taxi-drivers at airport/stations/bus stand to help you find your hotel. Always use tourist assistance desk for proper advice.

• Women travelling alone in certain deserted places should avoid walking at odd hours.

• While changing money, insist on getting encashment certificate.

• Do not checkout of the hotel in hurry. While checking out it has been noticed in some hotels, the extras are unreasonably charged which the guest hurriedly pays without cross-checking.

• Do not leave your cash and valuables in your hotel rooms. Keep your cash divided in different pockets.

• Take care of proper disposal of your rubbish always whether you are exploring desert, or Himalayas or beaches or anywhere else.

• Don't accept offers of visiting anyone's home unless you are confident of the person.

• Use licensed guides for sightseeing.

• Always use strong suitcases/baggage, as mishandling is common at airports/stations.

• Don't tip unreasonably and unnecessarily in a hotel. The NEWS soon spreads in the hotel and by the time you checkout there will be a group of them saluting you to expect something.

• In Monsoon time avoid night stay in the desert while you do camel safari.

• Most of the monuments give very good discount for students from all over the world. They must carry there valid school identity card.

Travelling in flights, Trains & Busses.

• Often train’s and flights are get delayed and can be cancelled at the last moment without any prior notice. Yesterday (25.3.08) it happens with one of my client from USA and they phone me about this situation from Jodhpur town at 9.00pm and there connecting flight to States was just after three hours, It was horrible situation for both us. So it is always better to arrive one day before to your departure destination to catch your International flight.

• While travelling, don't act confused. Keep a posture of a person known to the region.

• If you are travelling in the trains then you may have to reserve your seats in advance, last time it will be not so easy to get confirm seat reservation.

• Buses are not as comfortable as trains.

• Trains and buses are the best and cheapest option if you are travelling for more then one month holidays.

• Be careful about your luggage while you travel in train or in bus.

• Flight from Khajuraho to Varanasi is often over booked so try to get boarding pass as soon as possible otherwise they will provide you car for to go Varanasi.

• It is always better to arrive one hour before scheduled departure at the train station and one and half hour before any domestic flight.

• Always chain and lock your luggage under your berth in a train. Don't keep anything valuable near the window. Always carry plenty of water, fruits in trains. Alone woman traveller may request to be accommodated near other women travellers.

• Don't eat anything offered by fellow travellers on train or road travels. It might have sleeping pills. Always travel reserved class in trains.